Namco considers Dark Souls 2 downgrade issue closed

Following this week's response from From Software, Namco Bandai has advised VideoGamer.com that it considers the Dark Souls 2 downgrade case closed and that it likely won't be issuing any further comment on the controversy.

[PurpHerbison]

" and we're very proud of the positive media and fan reception for the game."

Which is why I blamed the community for the state that the game released in. Majority have extremely low standards and will praise the Souls games like the next coming of Christ when they in fact have tremendous issues that still to this day have not been ironed out.

[Summons75]

Or maybe the fans and (most) media know that graphics do NOT make the game. The gameplay, level design, atmosphere, and content make the game. The game is great, it's fun, great atmosphere, great level design and great gameplay that keeps you playing. Graphics are like the wrapping paper on a birthday present. Do you get upset when you get a great present but it's wrapped in ugly wrapping paper? High doubtful, you enjoy the present and are thankful to whomever game you the present.

Stop acting like a spoiled, entitled brat and learn to love video games for the gameplay and game design. It's gamers like you that are hurting the game industry by expecting every game to mimic real life, but whenever a game focuses on graphics over gameplay the actual game turns out to be bland (again there are exceptions but few and far between)

[TheDarpaChief]

I shall praise you before I praise the sun. PRAISE THE SUMMONS!!

[sevilha82]

Kudos,this kids now nothing.

Because we all loved chukie egg for the graphics.

or even Mario,or Donkey kong.

[dark-kyon]

i am sure what namco bandai gonna learn something of this controversy,you know maybe the next soul game they gonna be more transparent,in this case they can not offer more with the olds gen machines.

[PurpHerbison]

That was a TERRIBLE response. Especially cause I said nothing about the graphics, though they are disappointing as they get progressively worse. Demon's Souls still looks the best, followed by Dark Souls 1, followed by Dark Souls 2. The frame rate, ABOVE ANYTHING is the real problem. So take your 2 paragraphs and apply them to someone else. It is absolutely depressing the game still has a stuttering frame rate and now looks WORSE than the last iteration.

[Palitera]

Purb, to be fair, you sounded like a generic hater who didn't even play the game.

Not saying this is the case, but anyway...

[Summons75]

@ Palitera

How do I sound like a hater by defending the game? It plays well with a few minor technical things in it, gameplay is great, level design is great? How are those hating on the game?

[rdgneoz3]

"Or maybe the fans and (most) media know that graphics do NOT make the game. The gameplay, level design, atmosphere, and content make the game."

You're right, graphics do not make the game. However, people don't like being lied to. And when all the preview material leading up to the release says the game looks a lot better, and then you get something a lot different, not everyone's going to be happy.

If they showed that level of graphics all along, there would have been no problems. Doing it this way is basically Colonial Marines all over again.

[Bimkoblerutso]

@rdgneoz3

That's really the only thing that annoys me. From Software gave a perfectly legitimate explanation for the downgrade, especially given the hardware the games are running on.

But if some people do not want to purchase the game for that reason, that is their prerogative and there should be a level of transparency from the developers and publishers so that we consumers can make that kind of decision if we want to.

I for, instance, would have waited for the PC release if I had known of all these issues, though it has more to do with the performance issues with me.

[J_Cob]

Better graphics can add to the atmosphere though. Especially when you look at the old vs. new lighting system. Much more atmosphere.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[PurpHerbison]

@Palitera You would not see me here commenting if I did not own the game. I am simply a disappointed Souls fanatic.

Anyway,
I would have waited for the PC version as well. It only made sense that by the 3rd souls game they would have finally figured out how to get a steady 30FPS on PS3. But I am now convinced that isn't even the priority for them.

[Baka-akaB]

the standards are not low . yes we've been lied to and manipulated , wich sucks , and mean we should always be vigilant .

But ultimately , even with the unfortunate issues and downgrade , the game just rocks .

That's a big difference between this case , and one such as Alien colonial marines

[sevilha82]

And please wich issues do you mean?
Because im in like 40 hours plus of ingame and encontered none besides the ocasional split second framerate drop...

The game is awesome,the game is being prazed by souls fans,graphics are overrated.

The experience is flawless.

[frostypants]

Well, it was almost flawless until today's patch broke the co-op/pvp summoning.

[RAAMzilla]

Can't wait for DSfix 2.

[LAWSON72]

Visually only complaint I have is the repetitive textures. I have no doubt modders will fix it.

The main mod I want is that white mask added to the game because it looked badass and I dont think it is in the game which sucks.

[deadfrag]

PC version is been handle diferently,for the better,words from From Software.I expect better textures and effects on pc vanilla,then the obvious work of the modders.Im playing it on the xbox 360 before i get my Pc version and frankly for me the game looks fine,the art is amazing once more and all ambiance around is great!

[Bodge]

I'm really confused...did people actually think that good looking trailer was on a previous gen consoles?

[DaGR8JIBRALTAR]

yes...they did.

[Palitera]

And will continue refusing to believe the obvious:

1. If a game is being released on PC and consoles, they will use NASA PCs to fool the consumers on the trailers. And still say it was running on consoles.

2. If a game is being release only on consoles, there are great chances that they will use NASA PCs to fool the consumers on the trailers. And still say it was running on consoles.

The game is INSANELY GOOD, but obviously the advertisement was using some rigged PC footage.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

People don't seem to realize games are made on PCs first. So most trailers are shown on pc to begin with. They also seem to think graphics are way more important to frame rate and such.

[NovusTerminus]

There is no reason why it couldn't be done... by another developer.

I love FROM, been following them since Armored Core and Tenchu, even Otogi, however their graphics have always been bad. So I was expecting it to be worse then the trailers.

That said, when wearing the cloths in this game why do all the characters look to fat? And why are their heads to tiny? They need to slim down the shoulder width for them, looks bad.

[Skate-AK]

The lighting that people are talking about that was removed, was in the PS3 Beta.

[Sly-Lupin]

Those lighting effects are still in-game (they're re-activated in cutscenes).

FROM had a choice: either keep the fancy lighting effects, or get the game to keep a constant framerate.

They chose the latter because they care about gameplay. All of this "controversy" about it is the sole product of a vocal group of the worst sort of whores.

[Blacklash93]

I just want to point out, the lighting is still an obvious improvement over DS1. And it plays an important gameplay role in a few areas with your torches. And the game look fine overall, graphically and maintains a good framerate on my 360 version.

This is insincere and they shouldn't have shown the game the way they did, but since the game is great anyway (I'm 20 hours in) it's not a deal-breaker. It doesn't excuse it, but a good game is a good game at the end of the day.

[Blacklash93]

Double Post -_-

[PurpHerbison]

This is the first time a Souls game has ever looked this bland. I think we all assumed for the most part that we saw console footage. I mean, how could they possibly get worse? We all expected them to improve on the formula, not backtrack. Demon's Souls trailer looked good. Dark Souls trailer looked good. And for console games, they both looked pretty good. It really was safe to assume. Now that we know for sure we saw PC footage, I think the downgrade should of happened MONTHS ago. Not right before the game releases as that really is a sh*tty move.

[WhateverBlah]

Let them say that again when the PC version comes out & if the graphics sucks again like on consoles then this subject will never close & DS fans r going to rage on NAMCO hard!

On PC we must see huge improvement I want to play the game like NAMCO show it to us on all this shiny trailers let's hope we won't experience the game again on this embarrassing state -> http://i.minus.com/i3i2R2WW...

[PurpHerbison]

DS fans lie to themselves. The only community that will be in an uproar is the PC community.

[Cloudx77]

Is that real? That cant be legal, seems like bait-and-switch to me. That's not even close i thought they were two completely different games before i seen the text on the left.

[Skate-AK]

Yeah that's real. That's why it boggles the mind that Souls fans are fine with it. It's not about the graphics. It completely changed the atmosphere.

[Ashunderfire86]

Well as of right now they need to fix the servers cause that update 102 kill any chance of anyone summoning anybody or invading. I am surprise by now that there are no articles that report this problem.

[Veneno]

Agreed. All the online problems are way more depressing than any graphics downgrade.

[Sly-Lupin]

Holy hyperbole, batman.

[g-nome]

Game is awesome - stop complaining and get on with playing.

[sevilha82]

frostypants#

That was unfortunate,let´s hope they fix it ASAP.

My guess is that it won't take long.
Pacience is at the essence.

[Muadiib]

I really hope that From change to crytek or another middleware solution for their next game as their talent clearly lies in other areas of game development.